Laboratory Findings

Laboratory findings your doctor may be looking for include
signs of dehydration and starvation such as increased
ketones, increased urine specific gravity, increased blood
urea nitrogen.
If
you have been sick for a while, your tests may also reveal
an increase in liver enzymes, such as in aspartate
aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase or bilirubin activity.
This will
typically return to normal over time as you recover.

Your thyroid levels may also be abnormal but usually
return to normal after the first trimester. There is often
an increased
hematocrit, indicating you have a low blood volume. Electrolyte
changes include decreased sodium, potassium, chloride
and magnesium levels. However, these levels may appear
falsely concentrated due to dehydration. Replacing these vitamins
and electrolytes in your IV fluids is easy and important. It
may also ease your symptoms.

If you have been unable to
eat sufficiently for a few weeks and also have been vomiting,
you are at risk for nutritional
deficiencies. Being pregnant, you are also in a state of
accelerated starvation, meaning the adverse effects of
starvation will occur more quickly. Significant malnutrition
can occur
over time if you continue to not be able to eat and nutritional
therapies are not offered. Many nutrients are depleted
in a relatively short time frame, especially water-soluble
vitamins,
such as thiamine. It is highly recommended that vitamins
be given daily whenever you are receiving IV fluids. With
adequate and prompt treatment of HG, you and your baby
will not likely have serious complications.